McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Bentley News

Bentley news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Continental GT, the Bentayga, the Flying Spur and Mulliner's bespoke commissions. Our reporting takes in model reveals, first drives and the auction results that establish what these cars are worth. Bentley Motors news tends to move slowly and matter for years, so we follow how values hold across a generation. This is where the marketplace becomes useful. Many of the Bentleys covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, placing the reporting and a genuine asking price side by side. For Bentley news today, and the luxury car market news that surrounds it, begin below.

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2021

New Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid Unveiled

Deliveries are expected before the end of 2021. The new Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid has been added to the automaker's hybrid range. With the Beyond100 strategy, Bentley is aiming to become an end-to-end carbon neutral company. It's models like the new Flying Spur Hybrid that are acting as stepping stones towards their goal of electrification. Powering the new model is a 2.9-liter V6 engine that works in cooperation with an electric motor. The total output is set to be 536 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque, which is actually 95 bhp more than the Bentayga Hybrid. With that power, Bentley says the new Flying Spur Hybrid will sprtint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Being an electrified model, it comes with a few features that a standard ICE car couldn't be equipped with. This includes the three new E modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode. These modes will allow drivers to manually manage battery usage during a drive, although there is the ability to let the car handle it automatically. One big plus-side to many drivers worldwide is the fact that the new Flying Spur Hybrid can grant them greater access to ULEV zones. A price has not been noted as of yet, but Bentley says that customers can place orders from the summer onwards and deliveries will begin before the end of 2021. See All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – February 11, 2021

2021 Bentley Flying Spur Named "Best Dream Machine"

Waking up to a gorgeous luxury sedan is a life goal for many, and that is why the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur was named "Best Dream Machine". This award was bestowed by our friends at Motorweek after experiencing the perfection that accompanies every W12 sedan. The big B is riding high thanks to 40,000 happy customers and counting. Production of the Mulsanne sadly came to an end last year, so the Flying Spur was given a clean-sheet redesign. Starting with a new chassis, the design is a bold glimpse at the future of the brand. Even on paper the car is impressive. Two turbos are fed by twelve cylinders to offer 664 lb-ft of torque and 626 horsepower. Their cousins at Bugatti continue to push their W16 into uncharted territory, so the W12 Bentley is able to share the advancements. You will be coddled by a hand-crafted interior with incredible power at your command, so try out their digital commissioning experience by clicking the button below. Bentley Flying Spur For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – December 18, 2020

2021 Bentley "Reindeer Eight" Sleighs The Competition

A few months back, one of our dealers placed an order with Mulliner. Because they love bespoke builds, the 2021 Bentley "Reindeer Eight" has sleighed the competition. In a press release loaded with puns, we've learned that the customer is a jolly old man in a red suit. He took delivery yesterday after a thorough Santa-isation process. " width="680"> The rotating display hides a naughty and nice list, and the piano black veneer shows a North Pole landscape at night. It was built by hand at the "ho-ho-home of Bentley Motors". While he is accustomed to 8 reindeer power, there are 542 horsepower under the hood. With plans to travel 41 million miles, the hand-painted gold accents were covered in clear for a flawless, durable finish. Production of the new V8-powered Flying Spur began yesterday, so we hope you've been good all year. Our dealers have all the information, so click the button and Merry Christmas from all of us at duPont REGISTRY! Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – December 17, 2020

2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 Gifts Unveiled

Last-minute shopping can be stressful, so we're thankful the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 gifts have been unveiled. Production is underway on their latest sedan, making use of a 4-liter V8 for those that don't need twelve-cylinder power. If your significant other would enjoy having 542 horsepower and 569 lb-ft of torque, these detailed collectibles should be on your list. Choose from a Flying B Paperweight, Letter Opener, Bottle Stopper, Key Case, and two 1:43 scale models of the Flying Spur. Click the button below to order yours and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Shop Here Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – November 16, 2020

2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 Production Begins

How do you build a car by hand in the age of COVID? That is the most closely guarded secret as the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur production begins today. The world's only Carbon Neutral car factory is located in Crewe. Using the latest in personal protection, the skilled coachbuilders invest over 100 hours in each car. We now have final performance numbers that show a 0-60 time of 4 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. Seamless cylinder deactivation happens in 20 milliseconds, or 1/10th the time it takes to blink. Being 220 lbs lighter than the twelve-cylinder model, it has 15% less carbon emissions while offering 441 miles on a full tank. New Bentley Jewelry Collection Features Brilliant Array of Gemstones Bentley has delivered 40,000 Flying Spurs since 2005, and this is the best one yet. No less than 141 employees stitch 3 km of thread to join 350 pieces of leather. You will have 505 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. The latter is available from 1,700 rpm to 4,500, thanks to the wastegates holding a reserve of boost. Even a slight tip of the pedal erupts into meaty acceleration and smiles per gallon. Click the button below to order yours and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 14, 2020

2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 Is Lighter & Darker

A twelve-cylinder Bentley in your garage is a life goal for many of us. Their flagship sedan pulls no punches to offer 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It has everything you could ask for, and now offers the most efficient powertrain in their history. Something dark and intriguing hit our inbox this morning. A Bentley with blacked-out details will arrive soon, and it's 220 lbs lighter thanks to losing 4 cylinders. Bentley Celebrates 40,000 Flying Spurs Using the latest engine technology, the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is lighter and darker. Their 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is shared with the Porshe Cayenne & Panamera, along with the Audi S8 and the Lamborghini Urus. Now with the latest in cylinder de-activation, it transforms to a 4-cylinder in 20ms. This allows the Flying Spur to have a range of 400 miles on one tank while still offering 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. With maximum torque arriving under 2,000 rpm, it might be able to outrun the W12 for a few seconds. " width="680"> The Dynamic Ride system has replaced swaybars with servos. It can apply 959 lb-ft of torque up or down to each wheel. Not only does it instantly negate bumps in the road, but you also won't feel a thing on even the roughest roads. Click the button to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2020

Bentley Flying Spur Arrives With 3D Wood Paneling

Two decades ago, the only wood found in cars was a thin veneer. Bean Counters at the assembly plants made sure to save money by cutting the wood as thin as possible. Now with a push for more sustainable materials, Bentley has unveiled 3D wood paneling for the 2021 Flying Spur. Your door panels can be had with leather as usual, but two new options are open-pore American Walnut or American Cherry wood. 2021 Bentley Flying Spur Receives Plush Updates The diamond pattern was first seen in their EXP 10 Speed 6 concept from 2015, and fans gave it rave reviews. It was inspired by the quilted leather offered by their Mulliner custom department, and it took them 18 months to develop the machining process without marring the finish. Skilled carpenters use a 3-axis router to carve each panel, and the finished product is only accepted if it meets tolerances of 0.1 mm. It is neat to think that the wood in your new Bentley traveled from American forests before coming back in style. Click the button below to find your new Bentley and stay with us for all your luxury news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2020

2021 Bentley Flying Spur Receives Plush Updates

It will be hard to adjust to, but we now live in a world without a new Bentley Mulsanne for sale. But in times like these is important to keep your chin up, especially now that the Flying Spur has been divorced from the Continental lineup. The aforemention retirement of their largest model has allowed stylists and engineers to dissect the Flying Spur and give it plush updates you couldn't dream of. 2021 Bentley Continental Receives New Colors & Features Starting with a new 4-seat cabin, buyers can opt for a full-length center console dividing four semi-aniline leather seats. Buyers will also receive two cup holders, storage for the 5" touchscreen remote, USB ports, heated armrests, and wireless charging. An expanded offering of wood or leather patterns allow their Mulliner department to build a car exactly to your tastes. The most detailed leather patterns require a minimum of 18 hours and 11,100 hand-sewn stitches. Powered picnic tables are covered in your choice of veneer, and the exterior color upgrades are identical to the new 2021 Bentley Continental for sale. The rear bench seat is still optional, as is the Blackline Specification, so click the button below to find our dealer near you. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2020

Bentley Flying Spur Rotating Display in Detail

Even the most affordable new cars for sale have more standard features than just a few years ago. When it comes to flagship luxury sedans, adding controls and buttons can ruin an interior. So instead of a complicated interface, Bentley developed a unique solution for the new Flying Spur for sale. At the center of the dash lies a display with three personalities. One side matches the wood grain to a tolerance of +/-0.3mm. If you need to change the chassis or infotainment settings, it rotates to reveal a 12.3" touchscreen. Another rotation reveals the same species of wood with three analog gauges. A compass, chronometer, and outside temperature are easy to see and pleasing to the eye. The Bentley Rotating Display is ordered in over 70% of new Flying Spurs. It is comprised of 153 parts, 40 of which move with every rotation. Development took over three years in order to prove it will maintain incredible tolerances after thousands of rotations. The electric motors monitor and even predict battery voltage changes to offer the same rotational speed every time. The only high speed action is made to display the backup camera, as it must be in view within 2 seconds of shifting into reverse. Bentley has never spared any expense to stay at the cutting edge of technology and luxury, and that is why the Flying Spur needs to be your new daily driver. The same dedication can be seen and felt throughout the car, so click the button below to find yours. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale https://www.facebook.com/BentleyMotors/videos/292179311915650/

By Andrew Nabors – May 28, 2020

Bentley Flying Spur Offers Unprecedented Interior Options

Everyone knows that a new Bentley must surpass the previous generation. That is why they have unlocked unprecedented interior options for the 2021 Flying Spur. Now that it is no longer tied to the Continental in terms of chassis or design, the interior is a blank canvas awaiting your inspiration. The front seats are massaging and can be had in any color leather. But let your driver enjoy those details. The press release this morning is aimed at their target audience. The rear cockpit begins with your choice of 15 leather colors and 8 distinct wood species. Opting for the fridge, it can either cool or freeze two champagne bottles between the rear seats. Hiding in the rear of the center console, a 5" touchscreen remote can be presented at the touch of a button. It integrates entertainment, the 14-way seats, and 5 massage modes. An optional Naim for Bentley audio system offers 19 speakers and a subwoofer integrated into each seat. Powered by a 2,200-watt 19-channel amplifier, it can turn low-resolution MP3s into a symphony. Another popular option is rear-seat entertainment. In the back of both front seats are 10.2" Android tablets. They are removable to watch from any angle and offer 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth connections. With ample onboard memory, you will have access to the Google PlayStore to download any media and apps you desire. Finally, you can choose 3D leather quilting in any pattern, and the craftspeople will sew the car of your dreams. For the sake of brevity, I have summarized the most popular options, and our dealers are ready to take your breath away. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale

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